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US20020071676A1 - Car-used rearview mirror structure - Google Patents

Car-used rearview mirror structure Download PDF

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Publication number
US20020071676A1
US20020071676A1 US09/738,164 US73816400A US2002071676A1 US 20020071676 A1 US20020071676 A1 US 20020071676A1 US 73816400 A US73816400 A US 73816400A US 2002071676 A1 US2002071676 A1 US 2002071676A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
car
camera lens
disposed
main body
rearview mirror
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Granted
Application number
US09/738,164
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US6520690B2 (en
Inventor
Li-Tsan Chu
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Individual
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Individual
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Priority to US09/738,164 priority Critical patent/US6520690B2/en
Publication of US20020071676A1 publication Critical patent/US20020071676A1/en
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Publication of US6520690B2 publication Critical patent/US6520690B2/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B17/00—Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/12—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/12—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
    • B60R2001/1253—Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks with cameras, video cameras or video screens

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to a car-used rearview mirror structure in which a camera lens is disposed on front side of the rearview mirror.
  • the inclination angle of the camera lens is adjustable, whereby the view of dead corner on front side of the car is transmitted to a display arranged in the car so as to ensure driving safety.
  • a modern car is more and more widely equipped with various kinds of automatic equipment such as thermostat controller, refrigerator, electric seats, video/audio instruments (VCD, liquid crystal display), etc.
  • VCD video/audio instruments
  • On outer side of the car are disposed electric rearview mirror, head light-detective turning on system, parking alerting system, etc.
  • the parking alerting system can hardly truly detect and control the situation of the dead corner on outer side of the car.
  • the rearview mirrors on two sides of the car a driver can hardly truly know whether there is any alien articles such as sharp articles, children, etc. on the dead corner. Therefore, the safety in driving can be hardly ensured. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved car-used rearview mirror which enables a driver to clearly see the view of dead corner on front side of the car so as to ensure driving safety.
  • a camera lens is disposed in the main body of the rearview mirror and directed to front side, whereby the view of dead corner on front side of the car is transmitted to a display arranged in the car so as to ensure driving safety.
  • the car-used rearview mirror structure of the present invention includes a main body, a mirror disposed on rear side of the main body and electrically adjustable in inclination angle and a front cover body mated with front side of the main body.
  • a partitioning board is disposed in the main body to separate the front cover body from the mirror.
  • a camera lens is disposed on a surface of front side of the partitioning board.
  • the front face of the front cover body is formed with a window in front of the camera lens.
  • a transparent cover is fitted in the window.
  • An electric tilting mechanism is disposed between the camera lens and the partitioning board and fixed on the surface of the partitioning board.
  • the camera lens is disposed on front side of the electric tilting mechanism, whereby by means of controlling the electric tilting mechanism, the shooting angle of the camera lens can be adjusted.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective assembled view of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional assembled view of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 Is a view according to FIG. 3, showing the tilting operation of the camera lens of the present invention.
  • the car-used rearview mirror structure of the present invention includes a main body 1 having a central partitioning board 11 .
  • the centers of the front and rear sides of the partitioning board 11 are respectively fixed with two fixing boards 12 , 13 .
  • a first electric tilting mechanism 2 B is fixed on the surface of the rear fixing board 13 .
  • a mirror 5 is mounted on the first electric tilting mechanism 2 B.
  • a second electric tilting mechanism 2 A is fixed on the surface of the front fixing board 12 .
  • a camera lens 3 is disposed on the second electric tilting mechanism 2 A.
  • a front cover body 4 covers the front side of the main body.
  • Two motors are disposed in the second electric tilting mechanism 2 A and the first electric tilting mechanism 2 B.
  • the motors cooperate with gears for respectively driving a horizontal thread rod 21 and vertical thread rod 22 .
  • a controlling button disposed in the car is connected to the rearview mirror for controlling the horizontal thread rod 21 and vertical thread rod 22 of the second electric tilting mechanism 2 A and the first electric tilting mechanism 2 B. Accordingly, the mirror 5 or the camera lens 3 can be adjusted to a suitable inclination angle (with reference to FIG. 3).
  • An airtight ring 6 is disposed along the mating peripheries of the front cover body 4 and the main body 11 .
  • the front cover body 4 is locked on the partitioning board 11 by screws 42 .
  • cocks 43 are fitted into the thread holes to airtightly seal the space in which the camera lens 3 is placed.
  • the front face of the front cover body 4 is formed with a window in front of the camera lens 3 .
  • a transparent cover 41 is fitted in the window.
  • the signal of the camera lens 3 is transmitted to a display preset in the car, whereby the view of dead corner in front of the car can be seen in the display.
  • a bulb 31 is arranged beside the camera lens 3 to provide auxiliary illumination for more clearly showing the view of the dead corner on front side.
  • the camera lens 3 can be adjusted to a suitable shooting angle as necessary.
  • the camera lens is disposed in the electric rearview mirror of a car and directed to front side.
  • an electric tilting mechanism the same as the electric tilting mechanism for adjusting the mirror, the camera lens 3 can be adjusted to a suitable shooting angle.
  • a bulb is integrally added onto the camera lens to provide auxiliary illumination for more clearly showing the view of the dead corner on front side.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

Car-used rearview mirror structure. A mirror is disposed on rear side of the main body of the rearview mirror and electrically adjustable in inclination angle. A front cover body is mated with front side of the main body. A partitioning board is disposed in the main body to separate the front cover body from the mirror. A camera lens is disposed on the surface of front side of the partitioning board. The front face of the front cover body is formed with a window in front of the camera lens. A transparent cover is fitted in the window to seal the window. By means of the camera lens and through the transparent cover, the view of dead corner on front side of the car is transmitted to a display arranged in the car so as to ensure driving safety.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is related to a car-used rearview mirror structure in which a camera lens is disposed on front side of the rearview mirror. The inclination angle of the camera lens is adjustable, whereby the view of dead corner on front side of the car is transmitted to a display arranged in the car so as to ensure driving safety. [0001]
  • A modern car is more and more widely equipped with various kinds of automatic equipment such as thermostat controller, refrigerator, electric seats, video/audio instruments (VCD, liquid crystal display), etc. On outer side of the car are disposed electric rearview mirror, head light-detective turning on system, parking alerting system, etc. However, when parking or starting the car, the parking alerting system can hardly truly detect and control the situation of the dead corner on outer side of the car. Furthermore, with the rearview mirrors on two sides of the car, a driver can hardly truly know whether there is any alien articles such as sharp articles, children, etc. on the dead corner. Therefore, the safety in driving can be hardly ensured. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved car-used rearview mirror which enables a driver to clearly see the view of dead corner on front side of the car so as to ensure driving safety. [0002]
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a car-used rearview mirror structure. A camera lens is disposed in the main body of the rearview mirror and directed to front side, whereby the view of dead corner on front side of the car is transmitted to a display arranged in the car so as to ensure driving safety. [0003]
  • It is a further object of the present invention to provide the above rearview mirror in which the inclination angle of the camera can be freely adjusted as necessary, so that the camera lens can be adjusted to a most suitable shooting angle to meet the actual requirement of a driver. [0004]
  • According to the above objects, the car-used rearview mirror structure of the present invention includes a main body, a mirror disposed on rear side of the main body and electrically adjustable in inclination angle and a front cover body mated with front side of the main body. A partitioning board is disposed in the main body to separate the front cover body from the mirror. A camera lens is disposed on a surface of front side of the partitioning board. The front face of the front cover body is formed with a window in front of the camera lens. A transparent cover is fitted in the window. By means of the camera lens, the view of dead corner on front side of the car is transmitted to a display arranged in the car so as to ensure driving safety. [0005]
  • An electric tilting mechanism is disposed between the camera lens and the partitioning board and fixed on the surface of the partitioning board. The camera lens is disposed on front side of the electric tilting mechanism, whereby by means of controlling the electric tilting mechanism, the shooting angle of the camera lens can be adjusted. [0006]
  • The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:[0007]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the present invention; [0008]
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective assembled view of the present invention; [0009]
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional assembled view of the present invention; and [0010]
  • FIG. 4 Is a view according to FIG. 3, showing the tilting operation of the camera lens of the present invention.[0011]
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • Please refer to FIGS. 1 and 2. The car-used rearview mirror structure of the present invention includes a main body [0012] 1 having a central partitioning board 11. The centers of the front and rear sides of the partitioning board 11 are respectively fixed with two fixing boards 12, 13. A first electric tilting mechanism 2B is fixed on the surface of the rear fixing board 13. A mirror 5 is mounted on the first electric tilting mechanism 2B. A second electric tilting mechanism 2A is fixed on the surface of the front fixing board 12. A camera lens 3 is disposed on the second electric tilting mechanism 2A. A front cover body 4 covers the front side of the main body.
  • Two motors are disposed in the second [0013] electric tilting mechanism 2A and the first electric tilting mechanism 2B. The motors cooperate with gears for respectively driving a horizontal thread rod 21 and vertical thread rod 22. A controlling button disposed in the car is connected to the rearview mirror for controlling the horizontal thread rod 21 and vertical thread rod 22 of the second electric tilting mechanism 2A and the first electric tilting mechanism 2B. Accordingly, the mirror 5 or the camera lens 3 can be adjusted to a suitable inclination angle (with reference to FIG. 3).
  • An [0014] airtight ring 6 is disposed along the mating peripheries of the front cover body 4 and the main body 11. The front cover body 4 is locked on the partitioning board 11 by screws 42. Then cocks 43 are fitted into the thread holes to airtightly seal the space in which the camera lens 3 is placed. In addition, the front face of the front cover body 4 is formed with a window in front of the camera lens 3. A transparent cover 41 is fitted in the window.
  • The signal of the [0015] camera lens 3 is transmitted to a display preset in the car, whereby the view of dead corner in front of the car can be seen in the display. In addition, a bulb 31 is arranged beside the camera lens 3 to provide auxiliary illumination for more clearly showing the view of the dead corner on front side.
  • Referring to FIG. 4, by means of controlling the [0016] horizontal thread rod 21 or vertical thread rod 22 of the second electric tilting mechanism 2A, the camera lens 3 can be adjusted to a suitable shooting angle as necessary.
  • In conclusion, the camera lens is disposed in the electric rearview mirror of a car and directed to front side. By means of an electric tilting mechanism the same as the electric tilting mechanism for adjusting the mirror, the [0017] camera lens 3 can be adjusted to a suitable shooting angle. In addition, a bulb is integrally added onto the camera lens to provide auxiliary illumination for more clearly showing the view of the dead corner on front side.
  • The above embodiment is only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiment can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [0018]

Claims (4)

What is claimed is:
1. Car-used rearview mirror structure comprising a main body, a mirror disposed on rear side of the main body and electrically adjustable in inclination angle and a front cover body mated with front side of the main body, said rear view mirror structure being characterized in that a partitioning board is disposed in the main body to separate the front cover body from the mirror, a camera lens being disposed on a surface of front side of the partitioning board for shooting pictures of front side of the car, whereby the view of dead corner on front side of the car transmitted to a display arranged in the car so as to ensure driving safety.
2. Car-used rearview mirror structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a front face of the front cover body is formed with a window in front of the camera lens, a transparent cover is fitted in the window to seal the window.
3. Car-used rearview mirror structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electric tilting mechanism is disposed between the camera lens and the partitioning board and fixed on the surface of the partitioning board, the camera lens being disposed on the electric tilting mechanism, whereby by means of controlling the electric tilting mechanism, the shooting angle of the camera lens can be adjusted.
4. Car-used rearview mirror structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein an airtight ring is disposed along the mating peripheries of the front cover body and the main body for airtightly sealing the space in which the camera lens is placed.
US09/738,164 2000-12-13 2000-12-13 Car door rearview mirror structure Expired - Fee Related US6520690B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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US09/738,164 US6520690B2 (en) 2000-12-13 2000-12-13 Car door rearview mirror structure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/738,164 US6520690B2 (en) 2000-12-13 2000-12-13 Car door rearview mirror structure

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US20020071676A1 true US20020071676A1 (en) 2002-06-13
US6520690B2 US6520690B2 (en) 2003-02-18

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Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030098908A1 (en) * 2001-11-27 2003-05-29 Murakami Corporation Camera built-in rearview mirror
US20030103142A1 (en) * 2001-12-03 2003-06-05 Murakami Corporation Camera built-in exterior rearview mirror
EP1442934A1 (en) * 2003-01-30 2004-08-04 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Outside mirror for vehicle
FR2859425A1 (en) * 2003-09-05 2005-03-11 Valeo Systemes Dessuyage Accessory e.g. rear vision camera, mounting arrangement for motor vehicle, has external fitting with lower wall having opening traversed by accessory, where lower side of peripheral flange presses against lower wall
US20060139482A1 (en) * 2003-05-22 2006-06-29 Santiago Miguel Sanz Image acqusition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundings of a vehicle
CN100410804C (en) * 2003-09-22 2008-08-13 佳能株式会社 Image-taking apparatus
WO2012113304A1 (en) * 2011-02-24 2012-08-30 Yan Weiwen Rearview mirror for multi-channel video recording
US20120249796A1 (en) * 2009-12-24 2012-10-04 Fujitsu Ten Limited Image processing device, image processing system, and image processing method
CN104742807A (en) * 2015-04-15 2015-07-01 宁波精成车业有限公司 Intelligent external rearview mirror
CN105034969A (en) * 2014-04-16 2015-11-11 福特全球技术公司 Method for reducing reflectance of bright decorative trim under high ambient light conditions
EP3428521A1 (en) * 2015-03-23 2019-01-16 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Image pickup device for vehicle, lamp fitting for vehicle, and electronic control unit

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1662831A (en) * 2002-12-23 2005-08-31 郑杰克 Large-vision rear viewing mirror installed with indicator lamp and safety lamp
US7391014B2 (en) * 2003-05-22 2008-06-24 Fico Mirrors, Sa Vehicle outside rear-view mirror assembly prepared for carrying an image detector device
US9022586B2 (en) * 2006-03-28 2015-05-05 Rosco, Inc. Vehicular mirror having a camera for enhanced vision
US20080074768A1 (en) * 2006-09-26 2008-03-27 Yang Kevin J Front-viewing side mirrors
US8602573B2 (en) * 2006-10-31 2013-12-10 Velvac Incorporated Electronics module for mirrors
JP2009023543A (en) * 2007-07-20 2009-02-05 Kawasaki Heavy Ind Ltd Vehicle and vehicle driving support device
US20100129070A1 (en) * 2008-11-21 2010-05-27 Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. Rear view camera mounting on a vehicle
KR100959347B1 (en) * 2010-02-24 2010-05-20 조성호 An apparatus furnishing left-right-rear side view of vehicles
US9676336B2 (en) 2013-06-25 2017-06-13 Magna Mirrors Of America, Inc. Exterior rearview mirror assembly for vehicle
KR101963617B1 (en) * 2017-05-08 2019-03-29 엘지전자 주식회사 Room mirror for vehicle
CN108859975A (en) * 2018-04-12 2018-11-23 苏州佳世达电通有限公司 Backsight mirror device and automobile with backsight mirror device
US11505125B2 (en) * 2020-08-05 2022-11-22 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Vehicle door mirror assembly

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6124886A (en) * 1997-08-25 2000-09-26 Donnelly Corporation Modular rearview mirror assembly
JP4228443B2 (en) * 1998-12-24 2009-02-25 ソニー株式会社 In-vehicle blind spot monitoring device

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030098908A1 (en) * 2001-11-27 2003-05-29 Murakami Corporation Camera built-in rearview mirror
US20030103142A1 (en) * 2001-12-03 2003-06-05 Murakami Corporation Camera built-in exterior rearview mirror
EP1442934A1 (en) * 2003-01-30 2004-08-04 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Outside mirror for vehicle
US20040218041A1 (en) * 2003-01-30 2004-11-04 Ichikoh Industries, Ltd. Outside mirror for vehicle
CN100335309C (en) * 2003-01-30 2007-09-05 市光工业株式会社 Outside rear-view mirror for vehicle
US7929048B2 (en) * 2003-05-22 2011-04-19 Fico Mirrors, Sa Image acquisition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundings of a vehicle
US20060139482A1 (en) * 2003-05-22 2006-06-29 Santiago Miguel Sanz Image acqusition module for monitoring applications of the external surroundings of a vehicle
FR2859425A1 (en) * 2003-09-05 2005-03-11 Valeo Systemes Dessuyage Accessory e.g. rear vision camera, mounting arrangement for motor vehicle, has external fitting with lower wall having opening traversed by accessory, where lower side of peripheral flange presses against lower wall
CN100410804C (en) * 2003-09-22 2008-08-13 佳能株式会社 Image-taking apparatus
US20120249796A1 (en) * 2009-12-24 2012-10-04 Fujitsu Ten Limited Image processing device, image processing system, and image processing method
WO2012113304A1 (en) * 2011-02-24 2012-08-30 Yan Weiwen Rearview mirror for multi-channel video recording
CN105034969A (en) * 2014-04-16 2015-11-11 福特全球技术公司 Method for reducing reflectance of bright decorative trim under high ambient light conditions
EP3428521A1 (en) * 2015-03-23 2019-01-16 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Image pickup device for vehicle, lamp fitting for vehicle, and electronic control unit
CN115257544A (en) * 2015-03-23 2022-11-01 株式会社小糸制作所 Vehicle imaging device, vehicle lamp, and electronic control unit
US11872604B2 (en) 2015-03-23 2024-01-16 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Image pickup device for vehicle, vehicle lamp and electronic control unit
CN104742807A (en) * 2015-04-15 2015-07-01 宁波精成车业有限公司 Intelligent external rearview mirror

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